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While reliable data is limited, indirect evidence suggests a growing pattern of North Korean shipments to Russia, mirroring trends emerging with China.

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Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, China has played a key role in supplying Russia with various dual-use goods essential to its defense industry. It has exported millions of dollars’ worth of chips, ball bearings, navigation equipment, fighter jet parts, and other military components.

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China has little investment in North Korea or foreign direct investment (FDI) coming into China from other CRINK countries. While its investment in Russia notably increased in 2020, this figure has remained roughly flat since then, with a similar trend in its direct investment to Iran.

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CRINK’s energy trade is dominated by Russian and Iranian oil exports to China, consisting primarily of crude petroleum. Following Western energy sanctions against Russia, China increased its share of oil imports from Russia from 6.7% to 12% between 2021 and 2024.

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Andy Lim @andysaulim.com · 31/07/2025

In 2023, bilateral trade flows among the four countries exceeded $255 billion, rising 16.6 percent from 2022 and a whopping 49.1 percent since 2021. China-Russia trade dwarfs the other bilateral flows, followed by China-Iran trade.

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What do we know so far about the trade deals with: - South Korea - European Union - Philippines - Japan - Indonesia - Vietnam - United Kingdom See below 🔽 Read more here: www.csis.org/analysis/sou...

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Andy Lim @andysaulim.com · 30/07/2025

It's finally happening! Our new book on Chinese economic coercion, its weaponization of trade & how can countries fight back through collective resilience is coming out in January 2026. Written with @csis.org @victordcha.bsky.social and Ellen Kim. More here: cup.columbia.edu/book/chinas-...

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Andy Lim @andysaulim.com · 24/07/2025

US-South Korea Trade Deal and Alliance Modernization? Live in 90 mins! @csis.org @victordcha.bsky.social and @sydseiler.bsky.social discuss this and more for the newest episode of The Impossible State. Watch here: www.csis.org/events/impos...

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Andy Lim @andysaulim.com · 23/07/2025

What has North Korean given to Russia to support its war in Ukraine? @csis.org @victordcha.bsky.social explains in this video and with the infographic below. Watch Here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJu6...

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Andy Lim @andysaulim.com · 23/07/2025

Martyn Williams calculate that "taken together across each 24-hour period, across all radio stations and frequencies, the number of hours of broadcasting into North Korea has dropped from 415 hours to 89 hours." Including end of VOA and RFA broadcasting Read here: www.38north.org/2025/07/nort...

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Andy Lim @andysaulim.com · 15/07/2025

What is Kim Jong-un giving to Russia? In less than 10 mins, @csis.org @victordcha.bsky.social explains what North Korea might be providing to Putin, how much money they might be earning, and what this means for Asia. Why is this a threat like no other? Watch here: youtu.be/JJu6_Gysw7s

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Andy Lim @andysaulim.com · 01/07/2025

With over 120 entries, this is the most comprehensive timeline of North Korea-Russia cooperation since September 2022. Access here: beyondparallel.csis.org/timeline-of-...

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Andy Lim @andysaulim.com · 01/07/2025

What's happening with Axis of Upheaval? 1️⃣ In-depth look at Iran-North Korea cooperation Watch: youtu.be/pqlrWEV_ATk 2️⃣ Meaning of strikes on Iran for China/Russia/NK Watch: youtu.be/CnIf_Z16Q4M @victordcha.bsky.social, @myacoubian.bsky.social, @msnegovaya.bsky.social, @brianthart.bsky.social

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Andy Lim @andysaulim.com · 30/06/2025

LIVE NOW! What Do Strikes on Iran Mean for China, Russia, and North Korea? Special @geopolitics.csis.org event with: - @victordcha.bsky.social - @myacoubian.bsky.social - @brianthart.bsky.social - @msnegovaya.bsky.social Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnIf...

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Although the game was rained out, we had a great time exploring Jamsil Stadium and meeting with our friends at Doosan. Go Doosan Bears! cc @victordcha.bsky.social @jamesdkim.bsky.social @thisishannahkim.bsky.social @josephaseeley.bsky.social @kristigovella.bsky.social

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We learned a lot from the briefings we got at Hanwha as well, including their many businesses and their capabilities. cc @victordcha.bsky.social @kristigovella.bsky.social @thisishannahkim.bsky.social @jamesdkim.bsky.social @josephaseeley.bsky.social

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And to DG Taehee Whang for explaining the work of the Ministry of Unification and North Korea policies. Good luck back at Yonsei University! cc @victordcha.bsky.social @jamesdkim.bsky.social @josephaseeley.bsky.social @thisishannahkim.bsky.social @kristigovella.bsky.social

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A big thank you to DDG Wonwoo Yi of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for meeting our scholars, talking about his career & listening to each of our scholars' research. cc @victordcha.bsky.social @thisishannahkim.bsky.social @josephaseeley.bsky.social @kristigovella.bsky.social @jamesdkim.bsky.social

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Started our third and final day with a great meeting with Amb. Sung Kim of Hyundai to learn about his inspiring career, including as ambassador to Korea. cc @victordcha.bsky.social @thisishannahkim.bsky.social @josephaseeley.bsky.social @jamesdkim.bsky.social @kristigovella.bsky.social

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Way to wrap up Day 2 with dinner with the Korea Foundation, who makes this program possible. Grateful for our alumni for joining us, and to former foreign minister Yoon Young-kwan for spending time with our group! cc @victordcha.bsky.social @kristigovella.bsky.social @thisishannahkim.bsky.social

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Great session with Doosan this afternoon about their businesses in the US and Korea, and some of the challenges they currently face. cc @victordcha.bsky.social @thisishannahkim.bsky.social @jamesdkim.bsky.social @kristigovella.bsky.social @josephaseeley.bsky.social

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Thank you to the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) for an informative lunch session today on important economic and trade issues for Korea! cc @victordcha.bsky.social @thisishannahkim.bsky.social @kristigovella.bsky.social @josephaseeley.bsky.social @jamesdkim.bsky.social

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Andy Lim @andysaulim.com · 23/06/2025

Great start to Day 2 of NextGen Seoul! Thank you to Sejong Institute for hosting us for a wide-ranging session on Korea. Grateful for President Kim Hyun-wook, Dr. Shin Beomchul and their team's hospitality. Cc @victordcha.bsky.social @thisishannahkim.bsky.social @josephaseeley.bsky.social

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Great first night of NextGen Seoul! Thanks to our journalist friends, including @myhlee.bsky.social, @dagyumkateji.bsky.social for spending Monday night with our scholars & talking about all the great work you do. cc @victordcha.bsky.social @thisishannahkim.bsky.social @josephaseeley.bsky.social

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Andy Lim @andysaulim.com · 18/06/2025

Don't forget to tune in for our closing remarks by @kim.senate.gov! Watch here: www.youtube.com/live/nqnXpuO...

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North Korea's 2nd Choe Hyon-class destroyer in 4 pics May 12- Under construction May 21 - Failed launch in Chongjin May 22 - Ship damaged (blue tarp) May 26 - Salvage continued June 5 - Ship raised June 7 - Towed to Najin June 12 - Successful launch in Najin More here: beyondparallel.csis.org

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DPRK leader Kim Jong-un has called for deploying two additional Choe Hyon-class destroyers every year. It will require considerable time to complete fitting out, manufacturer’s trials, and navy acceptance trials before these vessels can be committed to operations.

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The imagery shows the caissons of the graving dock tied up to shore, leaving the dock flooded and open for the Kang Kon to move out. The vessel’s gun turret had been bounded, but the VLS hatches are covered, making it unclear whether these systems have been completely installed.

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The destroyer was towed to Najin on June 7, 2025, after the widely-viewed and embarrassing failed launch at a different shipyard last month. This remains the largest warship (5000-ton) ever produced by North Korea and joins a growing first class of destroyers in the Korean People’s Navy.

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A June 12, 2025 CSIS/Beyond Parallel/Maxar satellite image shows the launching of the Kang Kon, the second Choe Hyon-class guided missile destroyer (DDGHM). Read here: beyondparallel.csis.org/launching-of...

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NEW: North Korea just launched its second Choe Hyon-class destroyer at Najin, only 3 weeks after the failure in Chongjin. We have a story coming up with satellite imagery of the "Kang Kon" - stay tuned! Photo credit: NK News

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A more recent image, acquired on June 6, 2025, shows that the new building is externally complete. Additionally, two small storage tanks have been installed on the south side of the new building, and construction of several new small support buildings has begun.

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By April 2025, concrete footings had been poured, and a two-story steel-framed building, and what appears to be a large central hall, and a shallow-pitch blue roof were under construction. Concurrently, an approximately 603-meter-long security wall with one entrance was erected around the site.

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Initial construction activity was first identified in mid-December 2024, when a series of large square holes was excavated on the east side of the support compound. The location chosen for the new building was previously a small support compound.

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